Newcastle: ‘Eddie Howe would be in real trouble without Harvey Barnes, they’re going backwards’ – Keith Wyness
Newcastle United’s dismal transfer window last summer has been the architect of their problems this season.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks their drop-off in form stems from their poor recruitment.
Eddie Howe lost top goalscorer Alexander Isak to rivals Liverpool for £125million, replacing the striker with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
The duo have scored just eight goals between them in the Premier League this season, with Woltemade reportedly unsettled at the club.
Newcastle are set for an active summer transfer window to bolster their attacking and defensive options, with Howe’s side set for a mid-table Premier League finish.
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VISIT THE NEWCASTLE TRANSFER HUBNewcastle ‘decline’ down to summer recruitment
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks Harvey Barnes has stepped up for Newcastle amid the poor form of Woltemade and Wissa.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the Toon are currently “going backwards” with their current squad.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think it’s pretty obvious that last summer’s transfer window is looking poorer by the week.
| Season | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
| Goals per match | 1.8 | 1.4 |
| Goals Conceded per match | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| Average Possession | 51.2% | 52.5% |
“We’ve seen the decline and going backwards of Newcastle in the league and that’s all to do with the people up front.
“If it hadn’t been for Harvey Barnes doing a good job for them, they’d really been in trouble. Anthony Gordon hasn’t chipped in that much either.”
Newcastle confirm Lewis Hall stance
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle will reject any offers for Lewis Hall in the summer transfer window.
Newcastle still want to retain their best players even if they have no European football on offer at St James’ Park next season.
Chelsea are one club interested in signing Hall, who Brown believes is now in contention to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
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